MONSTER ENERGY RELEASES X GAMES ATHLETE LIST

On Jul 23, 2011 Last updated Mar 23, 2014

[Press Release]

Monster Energy is pulling out all the stops for this year’s 17th edition of the X Games. Boasting a talented and hugely successful roster of two- and four-wheel competitors, the Monster Army is sure to bring home some hardware over the course of four days of competition.

In total, 15 global Monster Energy athletes will take on competitors from all over the world, across three disciplines and eight total events.

FMX
The lineup of Freestyle Motocross competitions at X Games consists of five events: Best Trick, Best Whip, FMX, Speed & Style, and Step-Up. Monster Energy will be represented in each event, with many of the most recognizable names in action sports.

Nate Adams (FMX, Speed & Style)
Nate is undoubtedly a legend in the sport of Freestyle, and over the last decade, has been the face of the sport’s progression. A multiple-time champion across the entire FMX landscape, Adams also boasts 11 X Games medals and will look to claim gold in the FMX and Speed & Style events.

Tommy Clowers (Step-Up)
Tommy was one of the pioneers of the unique Step-Up event. As it grew to become one of X Games’ most popular events, Clowers stood at the forefront, claiming five medals from 2000 to 2007, including three-straight gold in 2000, 2001, and 2002. He returns to competition for the first time since 2008.

Josh Hansen (Best Whip)
“Hanny” is more recognizable for his skills on a Supercross track than his Freestyle prowess. However, the former two-time Super X gold medalist and three-time medal winner is taking his talents to the ramp, as a part of the exciting Best Whip event. Look for Hanny to lay it sideways and show his FMX counterparts what a racer can do.

Adam Jones (FMX)
As a Hollywood stuntman, there may not be a more fearless competitor in the X Games than Adam Jones. As a four-time medalist, Jones introduced the Cordova Flip, Stripper Flip, Shaolin Flip, and Corpse Flip to the world, securing X Games Gold in 2007. We’ll see what new innovations he has in store this year.

Kyle Loza (Best Trick)
When it comes to progression in Freestyle, there isn’t a name more synonymous than Kyle Loza. As one of the pioneers of the body varial, Loza captured three consecutive gold medals in Best Trick from 2007 to 2009. He remains undefeated in the event after sitting out with an injury last year, and word on the street is he’s got something special in store for his competitors.

Jarryd McNeil (Best Whip, Step-Up)
While not well known on the Freestyle landscape, McNeil has become a popular figure in the world of Crusty’s and Nitro Circus. His talent is huge, as evidenced by his recruitment from FMX legend Travis Pastrana. He’ll be looking to go big at X, and add to his silver medal in Best Whip last year.

Mark Monea (Best Trick)
Mark is looking to become the star of X Games 17, by bringing a one-of-a-kind feat to the Best Trick competition. As a member of the Nitro Circus tour, Monea has honed in a 360-front-flip known as the “Carry On.” In what has become the most innovative event at X Games, Monea is looking to take the sport to the next level.

Andre Villa (FMX)
Villa has developed into one of the top contenders on the Freestyle scene. While he has yet to claim an X Games medal in his young career, he’s become a perennial threat to win at any event he enters, and will be one to keep an eye on in L.A.

Blake “Bilko” Williams (Best Trick, FMX)
The fun-loving Bilko is back in action at X Games 17, following a year marred by injury. After a breakout 2009 in which he won X Games Gold in FMX, Bilko has been chomping at the bit for the chance to defend his crown. He’ll be pulling out all the stops in both Best Trick and FMX.

Rally
Monster Energy’s three-driver Rally roster consists of two iconic figures and a future star. With two events ? Rally Car Racing and RallyCross ? slated to take place, Monster is looking to deck the podium in green and black, with a clean-sweep in both disciplines.

Ken Block
Thanks to his viral Gymkhana videos, Block has become an icon in both the Rally and Drifting worlds. The co-founder of DC Shoes is one of the most talented individuals to ever sit in a car, and his talents will be on display at X Games as he searches for his fourth medal, and hopefully his first taste of gold.

Liam Doran
Of all the athletes at X Games, Liam Doran might be the most unknown. The young, up-and-coming English driver is one of the newest members of the Monster Army, and is currently taking the European Rallycross Championships by storm. He is a bona fide star in the making, and will surely bring some fireworks to X Games with his flair.

Dave Mirra
After amassing a legendary r‚sum‚ of success in BMX, Dave Mirra decided it was time to take on a new venture. The winningest X Games athlete of all time has been a regular presence in Rally since 2008, where he claimed his one and only medal in the discipline. With a total of 24 X Games medals to his credit, including 14 gold, Mirra is looking to add to his historic total and become one of the most dominant dual-sport athletes in action sports history.

Enduro X
Endurocross is the newest event on the X Games schedule. A hybrid of off-road endurance racing, trail riding, and motocross, there isn’t anything on the planet like it. Monster Energy is bringing in four talented riders in its quest for gold, and with the unpredictable nature of the sport, it’s a must-see event.

Destry Abbott
Destry is a veteran of the endurance racing scene. Whether it’s hare and hound, WORCS racing, or Baja, Abbott has been there and done that. He’s taking on Enduro X with arguably more competition experience than any other rider in the event, and will look to translate that knowledge into some X Games hardware.

Andres Lettenbichler
A veteran trials rider from Germany, Lettenbichler’s ability to control a bike is incredible. In a discipline where keeping a bike on two wheels, and navigating extremely rough terrain at speed, is the key between winning and losing, there may not be a rider in the field more adept to doing that well than Andres.

Taylor Robert
Simply put, Taylor Robert is an off-road specialist. As a rising star of enduro racing on the West Coast, Robert’s raw speed and natural talent should translate smoothly into Enduro X, where he’ll surely be in medal contention.

Justin Soule
As an off-road champion by the age of 23, Justin is familiar with what it takes to win. As the most experienced Enduro X member of the Monster Army, Soule will be a threat to claim gold and make history as the inaugural winner of the event.